Portret van acteur Rosières in de rol van Bailly 1812 - 1834

Jean Prud'hon created this print depicting the actor Rosières in the role of Bailly sometime around the late 18th or early 19th century. Theatre at the time of the French Revolution became a politicized art form. The vaudeville, of which Rosières was a leading man, emerged as a popular form of entertainment, often staging satirical pieces commenting on contemporary social and political issues. After the revolution, the vaudeville theatre aimed to critique and satirize those they saw as the villains of the revolution. Looking at this print, we should consider the role of celebrity and representation in shaping public opinion. What does it mean to portray an actor in a specific role? What kind of commentary is the artist trying to make through this portrait? To fully understand this print, one might delve into theatre archives, reviews of the vaudeville, and the history of celebrity culture in France. By understanding the social and institutional context, we can better understand the meaning and significance of this artwork.